Community members are invited to learn more about the nearby suburb of Orange Grove at the Modderfontein Conservation Society’s (MCS) next monthly meeting.
Guest speaker, chairperson of the Heritage Association of South Africa (HASA) and honorary professor of the School of Architecture and Planning at Wits University, Kathy Munro, will provide an illustrated presentation detailing the community.
The presentation will be held at the MCS Education Centre in the Modderfontein Nature Reserve at 14:00 on 28 September, and visitors are welcome.
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The talk will focus on the history of Orange Grove, with its iconic hotel, a hidden city waterfall and a popular picnic spot.
Munro will give an insight into the flavour of the suburb as it evolved over a century. She will also answer the question: Why was Louis Botha Avenue the busy street it was and still is?
“We’ll explore the origins of the streets, the architecture, the homes and businesses of the suburb,” said Munro.
“Who were the people who made the suburb? Why did the Italian immigrant community settle here?
“We will also explore the Modderfontein connections to Orange Grove and invite the people to remember their experience of Orange Grove.
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“It’s a suburb that boasted three cinemas, and the Orange Grove Hotel in its heyday was a vibrant social hub for wining, dining and dancing to the Roy Martin and later the Dan Hill orchestra.”
Old Orange Grove has all but disappeared, but Munro looks closely at some remaining shadows and echoes.
The MCS welcomes visitors.
There is an entrance fee of R20 for members and R30 for visitors (cash only) to help cover expenses, and scholars enter for free.
To get to the MCS Education Centre, enter the Modderfontein Reserve through the Ardeer Road gate, then keep left at all intersections.
Temporary signs indicating the route to the lapa show the way but are vulnerable to road builders, wind and fire.
For more information, call Alison Coppin on 083 292 5406.
